CHAUNCY pupil Matthew Widdicombe is one of six Hertfordshire players including ex-Olympian Gail Emms who will be competing in the Senior Nationals Badminton Championship.

The event starts on Friday February 7 and takes place at two different venues in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

It will be at the National Badminton Centre on Friday and the Stadium MK on Saturday and Sunday.

It is the first time Widdicombe is competing at the senior nationals.

He warmed up for it by winning the High Wycombe U-19 singles and doubles titles last weekend.

The Ware Badminton Club member also enjoyed an excellent 2013.

He reached the semi-finals of the U-19 Finnish Open in November and came fourth at the event in Espoo, just outside Helsinki.

This was after he became the first Hertfordshire player to win all the county’s association age group titles in 48 years.

Widdicombe will be competing in three different categories at the National Championship.

He is playing in the men’s singles and is also partnering Middlesex county player Angus Pedersen in the doubles.

He will partner Claire Weaver (Oxford University & Cheshire player) in the mixed doubles.

In this category Stevenage and Ware Badminton Club member Conor Bambrick will partner Suzanne Rayappan (Stevenage and ex-international).

Chairman of Selectors Hertfordshire Badminton Association Paul Widdicombe. Matthew’s father, said: “Thirty two of the country’s top singles, doubles and mixed pairs have been accepted for the Championship.

“It is a credit to all six Hertfordshire players to be included in the hierarchy of English Senior Badminton.”